Video summary

Jesus Made Himself Real to Me | An Iranian Ex-Muslim Testimony

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News and Commentary

Summary of the Testimony (Iranian Ex-Muslim → Christianity)

Purpose of the Video/Channel

  • The host introduces the show as a platform documenting “the tsunami of ex-Muslims leaving Islam for Christianity,” framed under the theme Forsaking My Father’s Religion.
  • A book by the host is promoted as available free online.

Early “First Encounter with God” (Iran, Age 12)

  • While living in Iran, the guest recalls an encounter with Assyrian Christian tenants.
  • The turning point comes when the Christian man refuses to lie, choosing integrity even when it benefits him financially.
    • The guest highlights an example: buying a winter coat for his mother without deceiving his wife.
  • The guest describes this as leaving a deep impact—later interpreted as evidence of God’s presence and character.

Revolution and Family Context

  • The guest plans to come to the U.S. for schooling after doing well academically.
  • The Iranian Revolution disrupts those plans:
    • Relatives who assist the revolution become trapped in Iran for years.
    • The guest attributes their survival to God’s intervention.
  • The host and guest also discuss perceived political naivety among leftist/socialist allies who believed Islamists would share power.

Life in America: Success but Internal Emptiness

  • In college and afterward, the guest pursues the “American dream,” including party life and material success.
  • Even while succeeding financially, he describes:
    • a growing inner vacuum
    • a downward spiral

A Pivotal Christian Influence: “Richard” (Late 1980s/Early 1990s, Tulsa)

  • The guest meets a former partying acquaintance who is revealed to be born-again.
  • Richard later returns as a co-worker/manager and brings two gifts:
    • a tie the guest had admired
    • a Montblanc-style pen the guest had wanted
  • Richard claims the Lord told him to buy them.
  • Richard also teaches a prosperity/blessing message tied to covenant with Jesus, which initially attracts the guest because it contradicts what he was taught:
    • following God means being poor
  • Over time, the guest says Richard’s openness about Jesus and visible business impact makes Christianity feel real, not hidden or merely cultural.

Crisis Moment: “Make Yourself Real to Me” (Aug 1991)

  • After returning from a party, the guest prays privately while looking in the mirror:
    • “If God is real, make Himself real to me.”
  • He says life still isn’t worth it even after getting everything he wanted.
  • He flips channels and sees Christian programming; he reports a sense of peace.
  • Later that day, Richard notices items that fell out of the guest’s pocket (described as remnants of his old lifestyle) and gently confronts him, inviting him to church.

Conversion Through Teaching on Enemy Love (Church in Tulsa)

  • The guest visits a large Pentecostal/charismatic church (the host mentions Pastor Bob Yandian).
  • He is struck by worship and the joy he sees.
  • A sermon on Matthew 5 challenges his “eye for an eye” instincts:
    • loving enemies
    • blessing those who curse
  • As he applies it, he reports:
    • pressure increases from coworkers and enemies
    • he responds with prayer
    • hostile managers later leave or are fired
    • he experiences promotion and increased income

“Defining Moment”: Communion and a Claimed Vision of Jesus

  • After months of attending church, the guest reports a powerful supernatural encounter connected to a TV ministry segment.
  • He is prompted to take communion at home and prepares bread and juice.
  • He claims that when he takes communion:
    • God’s presence fills his living room
    • he later believes he sees Jesus standing before him
  • He says Jesus addresses him by name and commissions him to bring salvation/healing to Muslims.
  • He interprets this as a direct call to ministry for his people.

After Conversion: Bible Becoming “Alive,” Holy Spirit Experience, Deeper Calling

  • Scripture becomes vivid and personal to him.
  • Within months, he enters Bible college and spends extensive time reading.
  • He also recounts receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues, describing it as a:
    • “game changer”
  • His later ministry focus becomes:
    • reaching the Muslim world
    • healing and miracles
    • discipleship

Wealth, Ambition, and Ministry Finances (“Rich vs. Covet”)

  • He claims God doesn’t reject wealth, but confronts covetous desire:
    • redirect wealth toward kingdom purposes
  • He explains that offerings/support raised by the ministry help others’ destiny, not only cover operations.
  • He also tells of stepping away from a business dream due to what he describes as divine reorientation and surrender to God’s greater plan.

Major Life Reorientation (Mid-1990s to Ministry Staff Roles)

  • In 1995, he describes intense spiritual prompting, including a vivid dream about Muslims and judgment/urgency.
    • This leads him to resign business leadership.
  • In 1996, he becomes affiliated with Jerry Savelle as staff.
  • He states that from about 2000–2019, his work expanded largely through media/broadcast.
  • He says he was encouraged by a documentary about Christianity’s growth in Iran, mentioning Sheep Among Wolves.

Current Outlook and Claims About Iran’s Future

  • He argues that Islam’s exposure through political events has driven many Iranians toward Jesus.
  • He states his ministry aims to help “harvest” overflow from Iran to:
    • neighboring countries
    • groups inside Iran (Persians, Turks, Arabs, etc.)
  • He frames this as a hopeful spiritual future.

Appeal to Muslim Viewers / Ex-Muslims

  • He challenges the idea that “most Muslims” truly follow Muhammad’s model, asserting many are non-practicing.
  • His invitation is simple:
    • cry out to Jesus
    • “Make Yourself real to me”
  • He emphasizes submission without needing credentials or doctrinal mastery first, claiming Jesus will reveal Himself and transform life.

Presenters / Contributors (As Named in the Subtitles)

  • Mohammad Jan (host/interviewer; also mentions book Forsaking My Father’s Religion)
  • Kamran / Cameron (guest; Iranian ex-Muslim testimony speaker)
  • Pastor Bob Yandian (mentioned as the pastor at the church the guest attended)
  • Andrew Wommack (mentioned as part of the guest’s Bible-school training background)
  • Marilyn Hickey (mentioned as a guest speaker at the church)
  • Jerry Savelle (mentioned as ministry staff leadership)
  • Ed Cole (mentioned regarding a mission-statement exercise)
  • Ayatollah Khomeini (mentioned as a historical/political figure in the guest’s explanation of Islam’s exposure in Iran)

Original video